Sudsy Stories
Every day around Australia, Orange Sky volunteers pull out our six orange chairs on shift and sit down for a chat with people who use our services. Many people visit shift out of necessity to wash their clothes or have a warm shower, while others simple come along to connect with their community.
Genuine and non-judgemental conversations are at the core of what we do, and while sometimes we get into the serious stuff, most of the time it's just every day people talking about every day stuff (and of course, some friendly banter!).
Stories from Shift
Colin, Orange Sky Friend
Colin has been without a stable home for almost a year, moving his car from one car park to the next to find a place to stay each night. When he lost his pension, life took a hard turn, leaving him to navigate this new reality on his own. Before discovering Orange Sky, he had been washing his clothes by hand, doing his best to keep a sense of normalcy in challenging circumstances.
"You meet people through Orange Sky, you can do a bit of your washing and you're staying clean and tidy. I come down there on a Friday morning and we sit around and talk to the volunteers.”
"It's good because you're doing something, you know, and you're relating to other people."
Finding Orange Sky has brought Colin more than just clean clothes - it’s given him a community. Each shift, he’s met with familiar faces, meaningful conversations, and a sense of connection that reminds him he isn’t alone in his journey.
Mary-Anne, Orange Sky Volunteer
As a loyal volunteer to the Sunshine Coast service for over seven years, Mary-Anne has seen first hand the need for Orange Sky’s services, and the complex nature of homelessness in Australia.
“Our shifts have become busier. We are seeing more people, young and old living in cars, single mothers and more families coming in for support. We see a lot of people who have full time employment who still need our support and the support of other charities, just to get by. It's really devastating to see that people can work day in and day out and still can't make ends meet.”
During an unlucky turn of events or situation, volunteers like Mary–Anne take Orange Sky’s simple service and help create a huge difference for thousands of people when they need it most.
“Orange Sky is on the ground providing such a practical service. Our friends connect with us and we are their support team. Everyone deserves a champion, everyone deserves someone to back them.
For Angela, who juggles caring full-time for her daughter, Lacey, and supporting her elderly mother, every dollar counts. Weekly chores like washing clothes, something many of us can take for granted, can feel like an impossible mountain to climb for people like Angela.
“I’ve been coming to Orange Sky with my daughter and mother every week for three years. We live just four doors up the road from the Orange Sky shift, so it’s really convenient for us. Honestly, I don’t know what I’d do without it.”
The routine and connection provided by Orange Sky’s regular service mean the world to Angela and her family. “When I leave an Orange Sky shift, I feel great. The volunteers always say, ‘See you next week,’ and I look forward to it. Clean clothes make me feel amazing. These past three years with Orange Sky have been the best.”
